Illuxcon 4
has finally passed and what an awesome convention it was. As always I was
completely humbled by the amazing artwork I saw there, and of course also by
all the feedback I received on my work. The good news though is it did give me
much clarity on where my work needs to go and what level I am at. I feel like
my work is right on the precipice and I just need to find a way to push it to
the next level. Even Michael Hayes used the analogy of leveling up when talking
about my work and he was amazingly helpful. I definitely got a lot of notes
from him.

The feedback
I got on my work all around was amazing though especially from the artists who
I had met last year like Dan Dos Santos, Steve Prescott, Allen Williams, Justin
Gerard, Donato, Mark Zug, Chris Moeller, Jeremy McHugh, Marc Scheff (who I
really owe a lot to) and so many others. There feedback was truly invaluable.

I also had
the pleasure of getting to meet some amazing artists who I did not get the
chance to before. I had the pleasure of having some great conversations with
Travis Lewis and got to watch him work which was amazing. As well as watching
Alan Pollack paint at his booth (as can bee seen in the pic).

Another
great person I got to talk to was Cynthia Sheppard (image at the top). Her
feedback on my work and my portfolio was so helpful. She was definitely a big
highlight of the convention this year. And I was fortunate enough to get one of
her artist print magic cards. Which of course went right into the deck.

Also I had
the pleasure to again meet up with Jon Schindehette and have him look over my work,
which went really well. His critique was very insightful and from what I gather
from him I am at least on the right track.

On
the last day of the con I did get to do something truly awesome. I got to hang
out with Chris Moeller at his booth and play some magic with him. I played my
new vampire deck and my blue/white against his all Moeller deck. It was so much
fun, I can not wait to do it again next year.

Lastly
I just want to say how awesome Jeanne and Pat are for holding Illuxcon.
Everything was fantastic and it was a real pleasure to see them again.
Especially watching Jeanne snipe everyone with her camera.

First though I should wrap up my trip to NYCC. It was really fantastic got to meet some great artists like Bobby Chiu, David Mack, Michelle Dickens, and Ebas. Even made some contacts with comic companies that will hopefully flesh out into full comic gigs. And the best part is a friend of mine got an interview with DC while there. I am so excited over that.

But now that all of that is done it is time for me to leave for Illuxcon in a few hours. It should be amazing I have a portfolio review lined up with Jon Schindehette, I will be getting many magic cards signed, and will get the pleasure to see Pat and Jeannie Wilshire again as that is always a highlight.

But now I must finish preparing for my departure but expect lots of awesome pictures and hopefully some good news.

PS if you happen to be there and want to play some magic hit me up. I shall have my decks with me and would love to get down on a game.